After Emery Hazard loses his job as a detective in Saint Louis, he heads back to his hometown–and to the local police force there. Home, though, brings no happy memories, and the ghosts of old pain are very much alive in Wahredua. Hazard’s new partner, John-Henry Somerset, had been one of the worst tormentors, and Hazard still wonders what Somerset’s role was in the death of Jeff Langham, … Hazard’s first boyfriend.
When a severely burned body is discovered, Hazard finds himself drawn deeper into the case than he expects. Determining the identity of the dead man proves impossible, and solving the murder grows more and more unlikely. But as the city’s only gay police officer, Hazard is placed at the center of a growing battle between powerful political forces. To his surprise, Hazard finds an unlikely ally in his partner, the former bully. And as they spend more time together, something starts to happen between them, something that Hazard can’t–and doesn’t want–to explain.
The discovery of a second mutilated corpse, though, reveals clues that the two murders are linked, and as Hazard gets closer to answers, he uncovers a conspiracy of murder and betrayal that goes deeper–and closer to home–than he could ever expect.
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This is a hell of a start to a mystery series that promises to deliver some terrifying yet wonderfully crafted stories, with a huge side-helping of a study in humanity—the Good, Bad, and Ugly.
It took me a day or two to unpack everything I’d read, because I didn’t just read the story, I experienced it. Felt the heat and sweat of the day, smelled the alcohol, could practically touch the restrained rage coiled tight inside Hazard, that was so, so close to tearing him apart… As I told Gregory Ashe, the only word I could sum Pretty Pretty Boys up with was: brutal.
Emery Hazard has returned to Wahredua, Missouri, where he grew up as a harassed, bullied, and physically tormented gay teen. His job as detective in St. Louis soured, and he was sent to an opening with Wahredua PD, which was basically his only option besides being fired and losing a job he liked. Maybe even loved. It was always Hazard’s chance to make the world better, even if it was only after something worse happened, as he points out early in the book.
Not only is it rough emotionally and mentally, being back in a town that nearly broke Hazard as a boy, but it turns out the job he’s taking over, one for a detective retiring, partners him with boyhood crush and bully, John-Henry Somerset. And Somerset might have had something to do with the death of Hazard’s high school boyfriend, Jeff. But the two don’t even have a moment to breathe before they’re thrown into a homicide involving a burned corpse, radical college professors, neo-Nazis, and a local gay club. My God. And it only gets more and more intense as the story develops.
One particular aspect of Gregory’s storytelling that I personally commend him for is his fearlessness to broach the scary, the unsettling, the painful, and I’ll say it again, the brutal topics. The mystery in this book involves intense violence and multiple homicides, but what really left me speechless was the development of his main character, Hazard.
Hazard is not okay. Period. He carries so much anguish, torment, and profound frustration that is colors how he interacts with the world as an adult. And most importantly to the series, it affects how he handles his partner, and to this day, crush— Somers. To make that relationship impossibly more complicated, Somers is nothing like he was as a teen. He’s kind, funny, and charming. He’s recently separated from his wife, is definitely not straight, despite his insistence on the matter, and sees Hazard as more than just a man. And I love how Gregory develops their relationship. It leaves an actual ache, an open wound in the reader, to see how they dance around one another, especially when it comes to the highroad decision Hazard took near the conclusion of the book. I can’t delve into the nitty gritty on that particular moment without sharing huge spoilers, but wow. Readers, and Hazard, have their work cut out for them before they find some kind of happily ever after.
I must stress to new readers that there is so much more to Hazard than meets the eye. Please remember when you experience this angry and hurt man, that there is a mountain of characterization Gregory has only hinted at if you carefully read along. Consider Hazard to be an iceberg. You can’t see what’s under the water in Book 1, but it’s there. Good God, there is so much there. Hazard is a fascinating character because he is painted in such an honest light. He comes with a lot of neutral and negative aspects, and readers have to accept him not as a fictional hero, or even an antihero, but as a human. That’s impressive storytelling. Gregory has brought some incredible skill to the gay mystery genre and I am living for everything he gives us!
I’m also desperately in love with his prose, if I can be quite honest. I don’t usually highlight while I read, but some of his word choices and twists of the English language were gorgeous. Very blunt and rough and unvarnished in delivery. I adore authors who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, and that’s really the best way to describe his narrative. I highly recommend this book, and the rest of the Hazard and Somerset series, by Gregory Ashe.
I love everything Gregory Ashe has ever written! The first Hazard and Somerset book will hook you and keep you wanting more! Stubborn, broken, lovable characters with complex backstories who need each other desperately. There’s danger around every corner, but that doesn’t stop them from solving their mysteries.
I have been eyeing this series for a while. Bully to lover trope is not a favorite of mine but I still decided to try. I enjoyed this story a lot despite there being some pet peeves that normally would have me cursing.
What I enjoyed:
1. The case and subsequent investigation. I was in the dark about whodunit till the very end. The police work was not rushed and read well researched and realistic. The case centered on hate crimes and there was strong hateful language used. The characters of Naomi Mashlo and Lynk Fukuma were well written and fleshed out. I enjoy a good adversary that I can loath to my heart’s content. The best part was how Hazard ripped them both a new one and took them both down a peg or two.
2. I liked the MCs, Emery Hazard and John-Henry Somerset aka Somers. They were so flawed and imperfect that it was hard not to like them despite so many things I would have found objectionable IRL. Somers is the former bully who is trying to atone for all he’s done. Hazard is the one who was bullied and he has a chip on his shoulder and a vat of hate he is ready to spill all over Wahredua. This combination brings out a lot of heated nasty exchanges between two men. I actually liked the push and pull of their relationship. The romance is a wistful longing that neither MCs want to acknowledge when they embark on, in Somers case, reconciliation with his wife (what a bummer this is), and in Hazard’s case a rebound boyfriend (I really do not care for Nico Flores for the sole reason that he is partially in the way of those two being together). As I know that they will end up together, I can read the next book with that knowledge tucked in my romantic heart and wait for it to happen.
3. I like this author’s writing style. It’s direct and really engaging. I was pulled into the story from the first page.
Things I didn’t like:
1. The emotional cheating that was going on throughout the story. Both men were with someone else when they were thinking about one another. In Hazard’s case it was also Nico he was thinking about. I do not like when MCs who end up together cheat in thought.
2. Off page s*e*x not between MCs. Again, this is my personal pet peeve that I can not help about. But it happened in the very end and by that time I was invested in the characters and the story, so I swallowed this bitter *pill* with a lot of wine. Literally. It helped.
3. The hints about Hazard’s hate of something in himself that was never explained or maybe written in such a way that still left me in the dark. It felt like I missed something.
Overall I am glad that I braved the first book. I think that when Somers and Hazard get together it will be deep, passionate and beautiful. This book really built the picture of both men for me. What their strengths and weaknesses were as well as their dynamics. Unfortunately it will take 3 more books for them to get to it, so I will have to be patient and just enjoy the ride. I have to say this. Had I attempted this book even 6 months ago, I would have disliked it immensely. I’d like to think that with time and reading more books I have matured in my views enough to enjoy the story and set aside small niggles that are insignificant to see the entirety of what the author is trying to convey. I did that and I am better for it. This was steadily paced, angst ridden suspenseful story with two slightly likable but very relatable MCs.
This Hazard and Somerset series is a great read. A really gritty story line, and a good dose of angst which made me love it more. Sometimes difficult but wonderful characters. And a hard one HEA that has you really rooting for the characters
If you are looking for instant gratification, this is the not the book/series of you. If you like layered works – books where foundations are laid and built upon, then look no further.
Hazard and Somers have a past that began when they were teenagers. Before they can ever admit to feelings they have carried for over twenty years, they must first work through some raw emotions and face their personal demons.
Also, this is a police procedural / mystery. They both distrust the mayor an sheriff and the power procures in town. Who can be trusted will carry over into the cases in the entire series.
*audio review*
I enjoyed this, I just didn’t quite love it!
Hazard and Summers have history, that much is clear, but at the end of this book, they still haven’t addressed that properly! And i wanted them to, NEEDED them to have done that, if nothing else.
Tristan James narrates.
I cannot fault the narration though! James is a master at his craft and gets all of both Hazard’s and Summers’ feelings about everything over exceptionally well.
Will I continue with the series? Probably not.
4 stars for the book
5 for the narration.
Audiobook review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
OMG so good!
I knew going in that this book is part of a series, and I also knew that I wouldn’t have time to read all of them one right after the other. What I didn’t know is how much I would love this and therefore be really frustrated that I might have to wait a few days before I can dive into the next one.
This story isn’t technically a romance but it definitely has a lot of tension (some sexual) between the two MCs and I think later books in the series will probably explore the more romantic aspects of these two unlikely partners.
Somerset was a horrible bully to Hazard in high school and it speaks to Hazard’s ability to keep his cool that he can even accept Somerset as a partner. I do enjoy a good reformed bad guy story and Somerset truly regrets the horrible things he took part in when he was a teen.
The mystery and intrigue in the story were great and I hated that I wasn’t able to listen to it straight through; but, it’s a long audiobook even when listening at 1.25 speed (13 hours at normal speed).
I’ve only listened to a couple of other books performed by Tristan James so I’m not real familiar with his work but I thought he did a great job with this book. He has the perfect voice for this type of story.
I have been binge reading Hazzard and Sommerset non-stop for a month. I can’t say enough good things about this series and the spin off series. The stories are always engaging and keep me flipping the pages, but Ashe makes such beautifully flawed characters who you want to smack and hug at the same time. Love this series.
Glad I finally started Hazard & Somerset’s journey. This book was a great mystery. It never felt long or drawn out and the underlining UST was just right. I connected with the characters right away and wanted more, more, more. This was my first book I finished by Gregory Ashe and I will be back for more. Tristan James does a great job on narration. Can’t wait to dive into the next books.
I accidentally started with Book 3 of the Somerset & Hazard series…which was great–but going back and reading the series properly was a joy. Dark and twisty back stories of two men struggling to overcome pasts that haunt them and metal enmity to work at present as partners in a small town seething with secrets alliances and agendas. Harkens back to great classic noir. Loved them all.
This is one of those series I’ve seen popping up with regularity in my feed, I’ve added to my TBR, and owned a few installments for a while. Why the procrastination in the reading? No clue, but I’m glad I’ve waited until it’s finished.
If you’re a romance reader, with expectations of HEA or even HFN, this isn’t for you. In fact marketing this as an MM romance is a disservice to all involved. Luckily it lands squarely in my wheelhouse and I loved it, probably, for many of the reasons it won’t work for others. I also admit to being a generous rater when the story, writing, or characters engage me. #notsorry
After being booted from the St. Louise Police Department, for reasons, Emery Hazard has returned to his hometown of Wahredua, a place he never imagined he’d see again. Emery doesn’t hold fond memories of his childhood/adolescence there, and the unpleasant memories are roiling just below the surface of his skin. As fate would have it one of the main reasons of his teenage torment, John-Henry Somerset, town pretty boy & high-school bully, will be his new partner.
The case(s) in the book is fairly well done, and though I guessed where it was going, I liked the journey. I liked that there were extremists on both sides, and not just for the sake of balance or being PC, but because these are recognizable figures from our everyday news. Of course the real story here is Somers & Hazard’s relationship, how the past is this picture that refuses to remain fixed, how it won’t release it’s hold on our imagination, or in the words of William Shakespeare, “What’s past is prologue; what to come, / In yours and my discharge.” Hazard has returned with a truckload of baggage he wants to unload but it turns out, that while he was gone, transforming himself, Wahredua and it’s inhabitants changed too. No one more so than Somerset. I loved that Gregory Ashe was able to, credibly redeem, or kick start the redemption journey, of a character that’s routinely, rightfully so, vilified. I like that GA doesn’t lose sight of the ages of his characters, the passage of time, and how it doesn’t leave any of us unchanged or unscathed. Unless we’re sociopaths.
I think given the span of time covered in the book, roughly a week, the relationship went as far as it believably could. A lot of ground work was laid and I fully expect to reap the rewards in future installments.
For those who do audio Tristan James did a nice job and helped me out with some of the pronunciation i.e. Wahredua? Also it’s on the Audible Escape package, so you don’t have to commit if it doesn’t work for you. I liked it.
And finally, I got to meet Gregory Ashe at GRL2019 and he was nothing but nice, gracious, and participated in a very informative and moving Q & A. (less)
I was a little apprehensive about starting this book. Law enforcement books (at least the fictional romantic ones) are usually either a hit or miss for me due to my own job and experience. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Gregory Ashe infused his book with enough little realistic details that I could sink myself into the story and enjoy it fully. The mystery was interesting, but the main draw of this story for me was the emotional development both independently and together of the two main characters: Emery Hazard and John-Henry Somerset. Be warned, this is a SLOOOOWWWW BURN book. Anyone with eyes knows Hazard and Somerset belong together, but we, as readers, are in for the long haul to see these two get together. And I’m okay with that. I don’t mind a slow burn when it’s well done, and this book was extremely well done. But just because it’s a slow burn, doesn’t mean there aren’t delicious sex scenes – and those are HOT. Overall, I loved this book and I’m so happy I finally got around to reading it.
4.5 Stars
Currently binging on this sereis, I highly recommend it!
Pretty Pretty Boys is first in a very exciting series! A slow-burn mystery with a lot of twists ,and surprises – with a gut wrenching tug of war love-story at the perifery unlike typical tropes in the genre; searing without the heat found in most m/m romance mystery/suspense novels. More mystery & sleuthing than romance, but the toxic relationship between Somers and Hazard is beautifully revealed. Absollutely worth the read.
Simultaneously frustrating and rewarding to read about characters who are realistically flawed by their experiences, and who struggle with the emotional and psychological scars left by events of their childhoods. I really felt like I got to know these characters, they are so three dimensional that I wonder if one of the author’s friends will read this and go ‘oy! How did I end up in your book!’ There are no idyllic heroes here, who somehow miraculously manage to convert horrific experiences into wisdom and experience. There are only flawed human beings with blind spots and foibles who do their best to stumble through the day without hurting each other too much.